HIST 353/653.01 Fall 2003 THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY Professor Alan M. Kraut TF 2:10-3:25 PM Office: Battelle Tompkins 143 T.A. Ms. Lynette Garrett Hrs.: M 3:00-5:00 PM; TF 3:30-5:00 pm & by appt. Battelle TO1-TO3, cubicle H-2 Phone: 885-2410 Email: akraut@american.edu W 9:00-11:00 am Email: garrettlynette@hotmail.com Phone ext.8989 CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION This course will cover a relatively brief period of time in the history of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 to the final withdrawal of federal troops from the South in 1877. It is designed to be neither a chronicle of battles nor a celebration of famous men. Rather, the purpose of this course is to analytically explore the political, economic, and social significance of those events leading to sectional antagonism and ultimately civil war. Particular attention will also be paid to such topics as the controversy over black slavery; the debate over secession; life in the North during the war; and the conflicting plans for the `reconstruction' of the defeated South. TEXTS (available for purchase at the campus store) Kolchin, Peter American Slavery, 1619-1877 Faust, Drew Gilpin Mothers of Invention, Women of the Slaveholding South in the American Civil War Stewart, James Brewer William Lloyd Garrison Anbinder, Tyler Nativism and Slavery: The Northern Know Nothings and the Politics of the 1850s Gienapp, William E. Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War Freehling, William W. The South vs. The South, How the Anti-Confederate Southerners Shaped the Course of the Civil War Thomas, Emory Robert E. Lee: A Biography McPherson, James M. For Causes and Comrades, Why Men Fought in the Civil War Foner, Eric A Short History of Reconstruction, 1863-1877 RECOMMENDED: Donald, David H. Shaare, Michael Burns, Ken Civil War and Reconstruction Killer Angels Civil War (documentary film)
Many of the course texts are on reserve in the library as well as being available at the campus bookstore. There will also be several items of required reading on reserve in the history department as well as at the library s reserve desk. This material is NOT available in the bookstore and is marked with an asterisk (*). REQUIREMENTS A. This course requires the submission of a 15-20 page typed paper which explores a specific aspect of the political, social, or economic developments in the United States during the period 1850-1877. Because one of the goals of the paper is to permit you to delve into a topic in greater depth than the assignments make possible, the paper need not demonstrate extensive research in primary sources. The paper should be based on a variety of secondary sources. However, when available and relevant, primary sources may be used. You may explore a topic not covered in class if you wish. All paper topics must be approved by the instructor prior to beginning the project. Papers will be graded on style as well as content. Proper form for footnotes and bibliography can be found in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations (most recent edition). Tuesday, September 23rd is the deadline for submitting a 2-3 page (word processed) statement of topic and preliminary bibliography for the instructor's approval. The paper will be due on Tuesday, November 25th before 5:00PM. B. There will be a mid-term examination on Friday, October 10 and a final examination on Tuesday, December 16th (2:10-4:40 PM). The final examination is cumulative and will cover the entire semester's work. C. Graduate students are responsible for the same material as are undergraduates and will meet with the instructor after the first class to discuss supplementary reading and assignments. D. GRADES Mid-Term Examination approx. 25% Paper approx. 30% Class Participation approx. 5% Final Examination approx. 40% All late papers will be penalized ½ grade for each day after the deadline they are submitted including Saturday and Sunday. No extensions, incompletes, or make-up examinations will be given except for medical reasons or other extraordinary circumstances (as defined by the instructor). All medical excuses must be documented with appropriate doctors' notes. Plagiarism on any assignment is absolutely forbidden. Plagiarized assignments will be turned over to the dean s office. 2
OPTIONAL: E. CLASS TRIP: In part, the Civil War is a tale of two cities, Washington, D.C., the capital of the Union, and Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy. Many of the battles and other crucial events of the Civil War era took place in the greater Washington area. On Saturday, November 8, Professor Ed Smith, the chair of American Studies, and Professor Kraut will conduct a day-long optional tour of local Civil War sites. Details will be provided in class. SCHEDULE OF READINGS: Week of: August 25 Introduction: Slavery and Sectionalism - Jefferson's Firebell in the Night" *Frederick Jackson Turner, "The Significance of Section in American History." September 1 The Southern Economy and the Slave Community Kolchin, American Slavery, 1619-1877 September 8 The Spirit of Reform Stewart, William Lloyd Garrison (entire book) *Alan M. Kraut, "Partisanship and Principles: The Liberty Party in Antebellum Political Culture," in Alan M. Kraut, ed. Crusaders and Compromisers: Essays on the Relationship of the Antislavery Struggle to the Antebellum Party System. September 15 Political Protest and Realignment Anbinder, Nativism and Slavery: The Northern Know Nothings and the Politics of the 1850s *Edward Pessen, "How Different From Each Other Were the Antebellum North and South," American Historical Review, 85(December 1980), 1119-1149. See also response to Pessen's argument, pp.1150-1166. September 22 Political Turmoil, 1856-1860 Start Gienapp, Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America *George Daniels, "Immigrant Vote in the 1860 Election: The Case of Iowa," Mid-America, XLIV (1962). PAPER PROPOSAL IS DUE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23RD September 29 The Crisis of the Union Finish Gienapp Recommended: Burns, "1861 -- THE CAUSE" VHS 1255 3
October 6 October 13 No class on Tuesday, Fall Break Why the War? Thomas, Lee, pp.1-200. *David Donald, "An Excess of Democracy: The American Civil War and the Social Process," in David Donald, ed., Lincoln Reconsidered (1956). *Eric Foner, "The Causes of the American Civil War: Recent Interpretations and New Directions," Civil War History XX (September 1974). Recommended: Burns, "1862 -- A VERY BLOODY AFFAIR" VHS 1256 "1862 -- FOREVER FREE" VHS 1257 October 17 October 20 Mid-Term Examination Wartime Politics and Problems: Presidents and Generals Thomas, Lee, pp.201-366 Recommended: Burns, "1863 -- SIMPLY MURDER" VHS 1258 "1863 -- THE UNIVERSE OF BATTLE" VHS 1259 October 27 Wartime Politics and Problems: Southern belles and bare-foot boys from Mississippi Faust, Mothers of Invention, pp.1-80 McPherson, For Causes and Comrades November 3 Why the North Won and the South Did Not Faust, Mothers of Invention, finish book. Freehling, The South vs. The South A guest lecture will be delivered on November 4 by Dr. Lisa Hill on the Emancipation Proclamation. Recommended: Burns, "1864 -- THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH" VHS 1260 "1864 -- MOST HALLOWED GROUND" VHS 1261 November 10 When Johnny Came Marching Home and a President Was Murdered Thomas, Lee, pp.367-414.. Recommended: Michael Shaare, The Killer Angels. Burns, "WAR IS ALL HELL" VHS 1262 November 17: Reconstruction: Two Views in Conflict Foner, Short History of Reconstruction, pp.1-123. 4
Thomas, Lee pp.367-417. Recommended: Burns, "THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE" VHS 1263 November 25 Reconstruction: Two Views in Conflict (cont d) TERM PAPER IS DUE IN CLASS December 1 Reconstruction and Race: Opportunity Gained and Lost Foner, Short History of Reconstruction, pp.124-260. *C. Vann Woodward, "Seeds of Failure in Radical Race Policy" in C. Vann Woodward, ed., American Counterpoint, pp.163-183. December 16 Final Examination (2:10-4:40 PM). 5